(Story courtesy of Trinity University Athletics Communications)
ATLANTA, Ga. -- The 16th-ranked Trinity Volleyball team punched their ticket to the NCAA Regional Final for the fifth consecutive year after a second round win over Berry College (VA). In a repeat of last year's matchup in the same round, the Tigers (26-6) extended their perfect record against the Vikings to 5-0 with the 3-1 win.
Courtney Pope and Mackenzie Logan were impressive once again for the Tigers, with each player posting 14 kills. Pope led the team with a .483 hitting percentage after committing zero errors on 29 attacks, while Logan finished with a team-best three service aces. Sophomore setter finished with a double-double, combining 28 assists with 11 digs, and leading the team to a .264 hitting percentage. Trinity was relentless defensively throughout, with five different Tigers posting at least three blocks. First-year Taylor Starr had a match-leading eight blocks, marking her fifth consecutive game with at least four. Jenna Rodriguez led the team with 23 digs, while Reagan Whatley notched 21 of her own.
The Rundown
The first set was very back and forth with both teams eager to take an early lead in the game; however, neither could get much momentum going as the score remained within a point through the first 20 rallies. With the score sitting at 11-10 the Tigers started to turn up the heat. Eager to build on their 16-match win streak they went on to win 12 of the next 16 points, with seven different players contributing with at least one kill in the set. Consecutive kills by Maddie Fate halted the Vikings late surge for a comeback as Trinity won the first set 25-16.
The second set was nothing but exciting and competitive volleyball, with both teams battling hard to keep their seasons alive. The Vikings took control midway through the set gaining serious momentum to put themselves ahead by as many as six points. The Tigers clawed their way back to a tie at 23-23 thanks to an important kill from Pope, but Berry rallied together to win the next two points and tie the match at a set a piece.
Determined to give their season at least one more day Trinity started to up the ante, pulling out to a 3-2 lead in the third set – a lead they wouldn't surrender. Driven by four kills from Pope and eight digs from Rodriguez, it was a dominant set for the Tigers that finished at 25-15. While the fourth was much tighter, Trinity used their momentum and motivation to get to tomorrow's regional championship to get themselves over the line. With the lead sitting at just two points, Pope and Logan traded kills for six consecutive rallies to put their team ahead at 19-12. After such aggression at the net all game, it was only fitting that Trinity won the game via a block by Fate and Whatley, ending the set at 25-19 and clinching the match victory.
Up Next
The Tigers will now face host Emory University (GA) in the NCAA Regional Championship match tomorrow at 5:00pm (ET), with a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals on the line.
